Then I tell my friends what we ought to do is we ought to pass a big deal. We ought to pass a $4 trillion to $5 trillion to $6 trillion big deal to get the fiscal house of the United States of America in order. It ought to include all…

But what we should not do is pretend that we're going to balance the budget by undermining middle class workers, middle class workers who work for, in my opinion, the finest country on Earth and who give excellent service, extraordinary…

I listened to the gentleman's comments. The gentleman is new to the Congress and probably doesn't have the background in terms of how this developed as to how we pay Federal employees. As the sponsor of the Federal Employee Pay…

I thank the leader for yielding. I thank the Speaker for ensuring that we would have this opportunity to speak to our friend, Gabby Giffords. I thank the majority leader for his comments. None of us on this floor are talented enough to…

I don't know whether you were able to hear that response. As Gabby looked with that extraordinary smile, the twinkle in her eyes, she said to me and to all of us, ``I miss you.'' Do any of us doubt that that is the case? Pia, we are…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I saw my young friend passionate about not passing these bills along to his children. I thought to myself, I could give that speech. But, very frankly, I voted against cutting taxes without paying for…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, according to a new poll by The Washington Post and ABC News, 84 percent of Americans disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job. I don't know that the other 16 percent are paying…

I thank the gentleman for his comments. And I want to thank him for his participation in addressing this issue. And frankly, in my opinion, he was one of the 100 signatories that we had saying let's get a big deal, we have to get a handle…

Reserving the right to object, and I will not object, I know that the American people are pleased that we have come together to agree on this extension to give certainty and peace of mind to the 160 million Americans who are concerned…

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, 6 months ago the Speaker said that he thought the 1-year extension of the middle class tax cut was a short-term gimmick. He said that 6 months ago of the year extension. So we're somewhat concerned about…

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, while there is clearly a difference in this House on a number of things, one of the things that I don't think we differ on is a lack of confidence that the Senate will do its job. I don't think we differ on…

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the majority leader's observations. I don't think I got an answer to the question. But having said that, if in fact an agreement is not reached prior to, say, the middle of next week, is the…